Ron Haslam Race School
Discussion
I'm interested in doing the Premier course for £269 where they provide a CBR600RR which seems to be decent value as it includes full insurance and leathers + helmet can be provided FOC.
Just want to know if anyone has done one recently. Recommended? I'd like to experience a trackday and learn to improve me riding technique without putting my GSXR600 at risk.
Just want to know if anyone has done one recently. Recommended? I'd like to experience a trackday and learn to improve me riding technique without putting my GSXR600 at risk.
Although you're at Donington for a morning or afternoon you only actually end up with an hour on track, which is rather a lot of cash for so few minutes...especially if you're unlucky and get a duff instructor (rare, but it happens).
Even on my first go I'd sooner go to a full trackday and take my own bike - most organisers arrange instructors (often the same as at Ron's) and just ask them to take you around and work out where you're going right and where you're going wrong.
Unless you're cannoned into by another rider (improbable), you'll be safer than when you're out on the road and you'll get a much better idea of how your own bike works.
Just my 2p.
Even on my first go I'd sooner go to a full trackday and take my own bike - most organisers arrange instructors (often the same as at Ron's) and just ask them to take you around and work out where you're going right and where you're going wrong.
Unless you're cannoned into by another rider (improbable), you'll be safer than when you're out on the road and you'll get a much better idea of how your own bike works.
Just my 2p.
If you get an approximate 1 hour track time then that's a bit poor.
Although there's less pressure not to bin it if it's on someone else's bike, I'd be more comfortable on my own bike as I'm used to it. Pros and cons to both.
Been looking also at Knockhill as I'm just outside Edinburgh as they do a whole day with Niall Mackenzie instructing for £200 but you take your own bike.
Although there's less pressure not to bin it if it's on someone else's bike, I'd be more comfortable on my own bike as I'm used to it. Pros and cons to both.
Been looking also at Knockhill as I'm just outside Edinburgh as they do a whole day with Niall Mackenzie instructing for £200 but you take your own bike.
I've done one of the Haslam days at Donington, you're bang on DB, it's only a morning or afternoon, approx an hour or so on track. Some of the classroom stuff they do is OK, the CBR's they tend to use are in good nick and well setup (suspension).
Overall i thought it was way expensive for what you actually get.
I think you might be better off doing a novice day first, just better value for money.
I would have a look at castle combe, very strict noise regs but this means they get a lot of road riders instead of the wannabe racers that tend to blight some 'other' trackday companies.
No-limits trackdays tend to be a good bunch, also if they are still going look up motorcycle folly trackdays, these guys gear specifically for novices.
Overall i thought it was way expensive for what you actually get.
I think you might be better off doing a novice day first, just better value for money.
I would have a look at castle combe, very strict noise regs but this means they get a lot of road riders instead of the wannabe racers that tend to blight some 'other' trackday companies.
No-limits trackdays tend to be a good bunch, also if they are still going look up motorcycle folly trackdays, these guys gear specifically for novices.
Having said all that though I remember my first trackday - and it was a disaster. It was with Fast Bikes back in 1998 at Snetterton. I'd only be riding in the UK for about seven months and it was a miracle it didn't crash.
Then, after a few months worth of roundabout surfing I did a Ron day and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's only in hindsight that the track time / cash ratio seems lopsided.
If you can afford it, do it -and don't forget to video it all for posterity.
Then, after a few months worth of roundabout surfing I did a Ron day and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's only in hindsight that the track time / cash ratio seems lopsided.
If you can afford it, do it -and don't forget to video it all for posterity.
I did the course this week with some mates and it turned out as we expected; the success of it is partly down to the instructor you are with and the person you are paired with. Track time is only 3 x 15 min sessions with a fair bit of stuff tagged on to pad out the time.
The bikes are pretty new and in good condition and of course Donington is a great track. If you bin it you don't pay (my mate low-sided at Redgate and was charged nothing). All gear is provided and it's a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. As a hassle-free way of getting onto track it is good, especially if you are fairly new to track riding.
I do think you would get much more out of a regular track day though, with instruction, and certainly this would be a cheaper option with a lot more track time.
The bikes are pretty new and in good condition and of course Donington is a great track. If you bin it you don't pay (my mate low-sided at Redgate and was charged nothing). All gear is provided and it's a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. As a hassle-free way of getting onto track it is good, especially if you are fairly new to track riding.
I do think you would get much more out of a regular track day though, with instruction, and certainly this would be a cheaper option with a lot more track time.
I too did it on Tuesday with my brother. I'd only been riding for 6 months and found it an enjoyable day, the weather was superb, which helped a lot.
The first session is just follow the instructor at a medium pace, to pick up the lines and for him to see how you ride. Then back in the pits the group was shown how to position yorself on the bike, before off out again for another 15 minutes. Pace starting to pick up now as we were both getting to grips with how to ride quick and smooth.
A couple more tips then off out again for a final blast. Throughout I though that the pace could have been a bit quicker, but then again the last thing anyone wants is to ride beyond yourself and have an off.
Thumbs up to the instructor (Graham), learnt something new and had fun, which was the point of it, and the ride home was great.
For a first bike track experience, I though it was good, although a couple more sessions would have been more value for the money paid.
Now deciding when to take my bike for a blast on a novice day....
The first session is just follow the instructor at a medium pace, to pick up the lines and for him to see how you ride. Then back in the pits the group was shown how to position yorself on the bike, before off out again for another 15 minutes. Pace starting to pick up now as we were both getting to grips with how to ride quick and smooth.
A couple more tips then off out again for a final blast. Throughout I though that the pace could have been a bit quicker, but then again the last thing anyone wants is to ride beyond yourself and have an off.
Thumbs up to the instructor (Graham), learnt something new and had fun, which was the point of it, and the ride home was great.
For a first bike track experience, I though it was good, although a couple more sessions would have been more value for the money paid.
Now deciding when to take my bike for a blast on a novice day....
Track days are the way forward. Most provide free tuition if needed & you'll only fall off if you ride beyond your limits. Try out www.racedays.co.uk . It lists all track days at all tracks so you can pick one local & on the best day. Donnington is a good track to start with because it's open & flowing, Cadwell or Oulton might be a bit scary until you get used to being overtaken.
You'll come away from your first day not being able to take enough in without all the instruction which wont mean as much as it will when you've had some experience.
Ron's best teaching you how to go faster when you've reached a wall.
Golden rules. 30psi front & rear & 2 laps at 50% to warm your tyres. Ride smoothly within your limits. It's the best way to get fast. See you in the fast group, it's the safest one because 99% of the riders know exactly what they're doing!! If you think you make good progress on the road that is?
You'll come away from your first day not being able to take enough in without all the instruction which wont mean as much as it will when you've had some experience.
Ron's best teaching you how to go faster when you've reached a wall.
Golden rules. 30psi front & rear & 2 laps at 50% to warm your tyres. Ride smoothly within your limits. It's the best way to get fast. See you in the fast group, it's the safest one because 99% of the riders know exactly what they're doing!! If you think you make good progress on the road that is?
Edited by committed on Thursday 3rd July 02:28
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